By Pemphero Malimba:
Several human rights organisations have called on the government and the police to address political violence ahead of the 2025 General Elections, following incidents of violence in Lilongwe on Wednesday.
A group of armed men reportedly blocked access to Lilongwe Community Ground, where opposition parties had planned to begin demonstrations enroute to the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) offices.
The assailants, armed with machetes, assaulted passers-by and those suspected of intending to participate in the protests.
Although Lilongwe District Commissioner Lawford Palani had asked the opposition parties to reschedule their protests, citing the police’s engagement in other activities, the parties insisted on proceeding with the demonstrations.
In press statements issued separately, organisations such as the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Youth and Society (Yas) and the National Advocacy Platform (Nap) condemned the attack.
A statement signed by MHRC Chairperson Chikondi Chijozi called on the government to create a conducive environment for holding peaceful demonstrations.
“The government should facilitate peaceful assemblies, political association and freedom of expression and make it possible for participants to achieve their objectives.
“The government (should) promote an enabling environment for the exercise of the right of peaceful assembly without discrimination and take measures to protect participants against violence and any counter-demonstrators,” it says.
Yas Executive Director Charles Kajoloweka also urged the police to bring those responsible for the attack at the Lilongwe Community Ground to justice.
“Allowing such acts of political violence to go unchecked only emboldens future offenders and threatens to normalise behaviour that undermines our democracy,” Kajoloweka said in a letter to Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu.
On his part, Nap Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe and Coordinator Baxton Nkhoma called for dialogue and constructive engagement to address several issues related to the 2025 elections.
“We believe that resolving conflicts through dialogue and mutual understanding will uphold democratic principles, promote an environment of inclusivity, reduce public dissent and ultimately strengthen Malawi’s political landscape,” the two said.
Malawi Police Service spokesperson Peter Kalaya had not responded to our questionnaire at the time of publication.
However, on Wednesday, Kalaya told The Daily Times that the police had yet to receive any reports of vandalism or injuries resulting from the fracas.
Meanwhile, government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu has welcomed the calls for people to be given the freedom to demonstrate.
“However, it should be accompanied by a call for people to always conduct peaceful demonstrations, which must also be approved by the relevant institutions or supported by agreements reached through consultative meetings.
“Demonstrations must be legal, peaceful, and conducted according to the Constitution. Everyone should have the space to exercise their rights, as long as the demonstrations are peaceful and legal,” Kunkuyu said.
Following the fracas, Democratic Progressive Party spokesperson Shadric Namalomba alleged that the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) was behind the acts.
But MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila challenged the opposition to provide evidence that her party sent the armed men.
Among other reasons, the opposition planned the demonstrations to demand the resignation of Mec Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja, accusing her of being compromised.
They have not provided evidence for their accusations.
